‘Security restricts interaction between players, audience’

NEW DELHI - Security can be a constraint at times in mega sporting events as it restricts interaction between the spectators and the players, Indian Hockey Association president and former Punjab Police chief K.P.S. Gill said Tuesday.

“I have seen at the Atlanta, Sydney and Athens Olympics that security can be restricting. It prevents spectators from interacting with athletes - infringing on one’s enjoyment of the games,” Gill told the media at the launch of a book, “The Road To Commonwealth Games 2010″, by Sunil Yash Kalra.

“Sports organisations must find a way to make security less obstructive,” he added.

He was looking at the “bright and dark side of security arrangements for mega sports events” in the context of the Commonwealth Games 2010, two days after the firing outside the historic Jama Masjid in the capital.

“But the events in Delhi barely 12 days before the Commonwealth Games raise concerns about security,” he added.

“The incident at the Jama Masjid should act as a wake-up call for everyone,” he said.

Comparing the current security needs in the capital for the Games to that of the Olympics, Gill said: “I remember in Sydney and Atlanta, security was few. People were queuing to buy tickets without security.”

“The security needs of mega sporting events like Commonwealth Games should be balanced with those of the people to ensure that athletes perform their best. They need spectators to perform,” he said.

He added that the “need for security in the history of sports arose with the attack of Israeli team in Munich in 1972″.

“The attack on the Israeli team was a turning point. The Atlanta Olympics was rocked by an explosion in 1996,” he said.

Referring to the firing incident outside Jama Masjid, Gill said: “One aspect that the incident establishes is the fact that sports, which should be used to further goodwill between countries and foster people’s contact, have become the target of terrorists of all hues all over the world.”

He outlined the ideal security scenario, saying: “A day must come when we can host major international events with seven-eight nations where security is not required at all. It may take 50-60 years.”

In the meantime, “we will have to remain with security,” Gill said.

“The country is well-equipped to host cricket matches, but are we prepared to host multi-disciplinary events of this magnitude,” he asked.